Time to make some waves

You can tell it’s nearly summer. Longer days. Higher temperatures. School’s almost over. Now, instead of packing lunches and homework, your job will be to pack the towels and the sunscreen and then take your pick from among some amazing public pools and beaches in the Lower Hudson Valley.

Looking to float along in a lazy river? Got that. Maybe you want a thrilling water slide. Check. There are sandy white beaches, too. So what are you waiting for?

Cool off

Summer is officially here! Slip into your swimsuit, grab your SPF and head for the water; below is a list of pools and beaches in your area. For more information on pools and beaches in Westchester visit http://parks.westchestergov.com/pools-and-beaches

Westchester County beaches:

Croton Point Park Beach, Croton-on-Hudson

Open: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, June 26-Aug. 17; closed Mondays and Tuesdays. A Westchester County Parks Pass is not required for admission but will get visitors a discount on parking. Parking with a county parks ID is $5 per car, or $10 without a pass. Croton Point Avenue, off Route 9; 914-862-5290.

Glen Island Beach, New Rochelle

Open: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. with no admittance after 6, Saturday and Sunday through June 22; Wednesday through Sunday (closed Monday, Tuesday) June 26-Aug. 17. A Westchester County Park Pass is required. $4 adults; $3 children ages 5 to 11; under 5 years old are free; $2 seniors. 1 Pelham Road; 914-813-6720 or 914-813-6721.

Open: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Weekends only through June 22; Wednesdays through Sundays beginning June 26, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, except holidays. $4 adults and $3 children ages 5 to 11; under 5 years old are free. Seniors pay $3 on weekdays only. Beach admission is included for residents on day of purchase of an amusement park admission. A Westchester County Park Pass is not required for entry. Parking fees are $5 weekdays, $7 weekends and $10 holidays. 100 Playland Parkway; 914-813-7010.

Pools

A Westchester County Park Pass or proof of county residency is required for admittance to all pools except Playland and Tibbetts Brook Park. County residents who do not have passes pay $15 per visit per person, including children, and each adult must have his or her own photo ID, plus proof of residency (such as a utility bill). At all pools, there is no admittance one half-hour before closing.

Admission prices below are with a county parks pass (except as noted for Playland):

Playland Pool, Rye

Open: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays beginning June 26. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, except holidays. $6 adults, or $5 with a Westchester County Park Pass; $4 children 12 and under, or $3.50 with a pass; children under 5 are free. Seniors pay $4 on weekdays only (except holidays). Pool admission is included for residents on day of purchase of an amusement park admission. Parking fees are $5 weekdays, $7 weekends and $10 holidays. Playland Parkway; 914-813-7010.

Sometimes you want bigger waves and chiller thrills. So head to SplashDown Beach in Fishkill. Along with the wave pools and waterslides, check out the new Arctic Plunge Racer — a water-borne drag race where you zoom through enough twists, turns and curves to create a ton of acceleration. New this year, too is Safari Outpost, an educational show featuring capuchin monkeys, Bengal tigers, giant parrots and huge reptiles. You and your kids will learn about rare species from all over the world and how they live in the wild. GO: Splashdown Beach, 16 Old Route 9 W, Fishkill, 845-897-9600. Daily rates are $28 for kids, $33 adults. http://www.splashdownbeach.com.

Karen Croke

• Sandy Hook, N.J:

To get a feel for the Jersey Shore without the hassle of some other “Jersey Shore”-like spots, opt for Sandy Hook, a pristine beach located in Gateway National Seashore. If you want an adventure, you can head into the city and jump a 30-minute ferry ride from Lower Manhattan or drive there in about an hour and a half by car via the Garden State Parkway. There’s lots to do beside kicking back in the sand on an ocean beach: bike riding, visiting the lighthouse or taking in the view of New York Harbor from the North Beach Observation Deck. There are food trucks and concessions or head into nearby Atlantic Highlands for a meal on the way home. GO: Parking lots are open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at oceanside beaches. No entrance fee, but there is $15 per car parking fee. If you plan to go, get there early because parking lots fill up early. For information, l-732-872-5970 or www.sandy-hook.com.

Karen Croke

• Robert Moses State Park, Long Island:

For the prettiest stretch of Atlantic Ocean in the region, head to this 5-mile beach in Babylon, on the western end of Fire Island. Robert Moses provides a less-crowded, more laid-back experience than nearby Jones Beach that makes it a favorite among Long Islanders. There are bathhouses with showers and changing facilities at each of the four parking fields, 2-5. There’s also a fun 18-hole pitch-and-putt golf course suitable to beginners and children (minimum age 10) near Field 2, with bargain greens fees of $11, $8 seniors on weekends. There are snack bars and umbrella and chair rentals available. In the need-to-know department: From the eastern edge of the park, accessible from Field 5, you can walk to the Fire Island Lighthouse, but despite recent efforts to curb nudity, this stretch of beach, which is within the Fire Island National Seashore, remains staunchly clothing-optional. GO: Parking lots open at 7 a.m. weekends and lifeguards go on duty at 9 a.m. $10 per car parking fee. Weekend traffic is nerve-fraying; go early, plan to leave the beach early and don’t even consider going without an E-ZPass. For information, 631-669-0449, nysparks.com/parks.